Knowledge Nugget of the Day: Dragon Drones

Dragon drones have emerged as a deadly new weapon in the Russia-Ukraine war, capturing attention with their ability to release fire from the sky. Let’s break down what these drones are and what they can do.

Why in the News? Recently, videos have circulated on social media showing drones raining fire over battlefields. These drones have been dubbed “dragon drones” due to their fiery capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

1. What Are Dragon Drones? Dragon drones are armed with thermite, a mixture of aluminium and iron oxide originally designed over a century ago to weld railroad tracks.

2. Thermite's Devastating Power Once ignited by an electrical fuse, thermite sparks a self-sustaining, intense reaction that burns through nearly anything—military vehicles, trees, and even underwater targets. It’s almost impossible to extinguish.

3. Deployment in Russia-Ukraine Conflict First seen in action around September, Ukrainian forces reportedly used dragon drones to burn away Russian cover, exposing troops and equipment. Russian forces quickly began producing their own dragon drones in response.

4. Human Cost Thermite is notorious for its horrific impact on human lives. Human Rights Watch has noted that thermite can cause severe burns and damage muscles, nerves, and even bones.

5. Legality in Warfare While thermite use in war is not banned, international law restricts its use against civilians. The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons limits thermite's deployment to strictly military targets due to its indiscriminate nature.

6. Expert Opinion Marina Miron, a military expert, highlights the dangers of thermite as it can lead to severe burns and respiratory injuries, emphasizing the need for caution in its use.

Beyond the Nugget: The History of Thermite

• World War I & II Usage Thermite was first used during World War I and later became a significant weapon during World War II, where millions of thermite bombs were dropped on Germany and Japan.

• Modern Applications Today, thermite is often used by special operations forces for covert operations due to its silent yet destructive nature.

A New Kind of War

The Russia-Ukraine war marks a shift from conventional large-scale military assaults to tactical, technology-driven warfare. Drones, like dragon drones, have played a critical role in altering strategies, with both sides adapting to the changing nature of combat.

Did You Know? The Indian Army plans to acquire the advanced Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction system (MK IIA) to counter rising threats from drones along the borders.